Is King Estate A Haven Or Hazard For Birds?

The Pavilion at King Estate. Photo: courtesy King Estate.

The rolling hills of the King Estate vineyards and winery south of Eugene on Territorial Road have become a magnet for birds of all kinds, from migrating songbirds to raptors, that breed, rest and feed on its sprawling acres, but some birds have been crashing into the big windows at the pavilion building.

EW reader Chris Peche attended a workshop on Buddhist compassion at the pavilion last spring and observed two robins striking the sliding glass doors. “I had mentioned to staff that the building’s design was a death trap for migrating birds,” he says. “The sooner the pavilion is bird-friendly, the easier the pinot gris will go down.”

It’s taken a while for King Estate to take any action, in part because staff observed few bird crashes and because Jessie Russell, the estate’s garden manager, was not happy with the available options last spring. Following a recent query from EW, Russell “went back and took another look and found something that works, so those are ordered and will be put up,” says Jenny Ulum, the new director of strategic communications for the winery.

“I think a few well-placed and tasteful stickers on these glass doors will provide the visual clue needed for birds to prevent these mishaps,” Russell says.

The winery with its 1,033 Oregon Tilth-certified organic acres has been working closely with the Cascade Raptor Center over the past five years, says Louise Shimmel, executive director of the Eugene-based center that rehabilitates and releases injured birds of prey such as owls and hawks. Migrating birds gobble insects while raptors dine on gophers and mice. Migrating birds can also be “pests” when they feast on ripening grapes, so the raptors keep them in check as well. Birds have become part of integrated pest management programs at King Estate, Willamette Valley Vineyards and other organic wineries, Shimmel says.

“Originally, they [King Estate] invited us out to the property to advise them on the best location for nest boxes and they then put up screech owl, kestrel and barn owl boxes,” Shimmel says. “We’ve been releasing young birds there ever since.” Vineyards in Israel have installed barn owl nest boxes to deter rodents since the 1960s and California vineyards have followed.

Winery owner Ed King acknowledges the bird crashes, including at least one hawk, and the need to look into the hazard, but he says the birds benefit overall. “Being certified organic means birds don’t have the same exposure to herbicides and pesticides. That’s why the big birds like us so much. They can have meaningful sex at King Estate.”

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!